5 months old

bathed, fed and heading to bed...

Zade is 2

We had a little get together to celebrate Zade turning 2.  I don't like to call them birthday parties when they are this young because I don't want people to think they have to bring a gift and I want to keep it simple.  It's really just a good excuse to have lots of friends over at the same time, a big play date for the kids and an excuse to make and eat cake.  That's the biggest reason really.

Zade got his present from us when he got up Saturday morning- a bubble blowing lawn mower.  Both he and Dace are really into bubbles these days and they loved their new toy.  You could tell Zade knew it was a different kind of day.  He was really excited and would not go down for a nap.  After 4 attempts, we gave in and let the birthday boy stay up.  He was waiting for his friends to show up.  When Dallin started blowing up balloons, both boys started bouncing off the walls and they didn't stop til the last kid left.  I think they had about 10 friends show up plus parents.   The cake was a hit, the kids were loud and crazy and the birthday boy had a blast being the center of attention.  He got a few different bubble gifts which they are enjoying.  Happy Birthday, Zay-Zay.  We love you!

Devon, our Sunday manny.  

Nev fell asleep just before the guests starting to arrive.  she missed cake and most of the party.  

Happy Birthday, Dear Zade.....

He wasn't too sure about the singing bit.  

Thanks for an awesome cake, Mama!

Sing-a-long boy

My favorite thing about Dace being in Primary is all the little songs he learns and sings around the house.  Especially Sunday afternoon.  Today he had 2 new ones.  I love the pronunciation in some of them.  He is such a good clear speaker.  Such a sweet little voice.  I love that he loves to sing so much.

Saturday night humor

A little chuckle before the Sabbath.

sneak peek

Just finished Zade's cake for the big 2 bash tomorrow.  I'm excited!
This idea is courtesy of Pinterest.

11. LOVE to go to Primary

Dace is just so darn cute on the front row with the Sunbeams.  It took a couple weeks for him to really warm up to the change from Nursery- new people, bigger room, bigger class.  Now he loves it. He's the first to arrive and is quite the popular little boy, I might add.

10. LOVE to Pin

Pinterest.  Have you heard about it?

It's all the rage.

I first heard about it last year when my plate was a little bit too full.  You know, when I had a temporarily paralyzed husband, pregnant with twins and two busy toddler boys running under foot....not to mention all the ripple effects of all the above mentioned.....Anyhoo, anyone who talked about Pinterest said they Looooooooooved it, that it was amaaaaaazing and that it is sooooooo addictive.

Well I knew that I had no time for any of that.  So I avoided it.  for months.

Then this week, I got bored and rather fed up with Facebook.  It's been my go-to site for when I need something to browse through while rocking a baby to sleep or waiting for food to cook, whatever.  So I asked for an invite to Pinterest.  And was placed on a waiting list!  I mean, really?  Can a website really only have so much traffic at a time?  I think it's all a hype thing.  Anyway, after a couple days I got my invite and password and voila.  It did not disappoint.

I don't even know how to correctly use the thing and all its potential but I love browsing through the main board. I love the creativity and imagination people have.  Sometimes it just amazes me and I love being amazed by the beauty of things.   And there are some beautiful things on this site.  So here are just a few of my favorites:

$4000 shoes.  I could so rock these.  and wear them til I was 90!

something to think about.  

no bake nutella cheesecake.  A recipe I will be trying next week.  

cute idea.  Another recipe to try.  

dream bathroom!

I could totally rock this ensemble!

smartest idea ever!  I want it.  And I know a few people who need it.....

I want to find this bed, crawl into it and sleep for 2 days.  swoon.

9. LOVE new food

Our video camera has come back to life.  Woohoo!  Ammon ate his first solids today and it was a hit.  Here's how it went.  I also love Dace's commentary in the background.  

8. LOVE to tell stories

Dallin is great for telling the boys stories made up on the spot.  Dace loves it!  This is a passed down trait because Dallin loved hearing his dad tell stories when he was little.

Well, now Dace has started telling us stories that are loosely based on the ones he's heard Dallin tell.  Most of the stories are about Super Dace and Wonder Zade.  We are even working on a theme song.  And I really do need to get their capes sewn.

A couple nights ago at the dinner table, Dace wanted to tell a story.  This is it:

Once upon a time, there was a tractor.  His name was beer gut.

(Dallin and I look at each other and laugh.  Uhhhh, okay.  Continue)

One day, Wonder Zade had a little trampoline.  He watered it and it grew and grew into a big trampoline.
The end.

7. LOVE to practice writing (A day late)

Sorry for no posts yesterday.  Our video camera has glitched and died.  very sad.  i had the next few days lined up with clips to make and now that I can't use video, I had to regroup.

Some of my friends have asked me lately if we'll be putting Dace into Pre-K.  I really can't think of anything that would be taught there that he doesn't already know.  He knows all his ABCs, can count 1-10 and beyond, knows his colors and shapes and - not even joking- is teaching himself how to read.  we have these great flashcards and Gramma Dean bought him Your Baby Can Read so every now and then he sits down and figures them out.  It's incredible!  I am so glad he loves to learn and to read.  That is so important for kids.

Here is his list from today.  He's got everyone's name right!  Well, Nev's needs a little tweaking but other than that, this little boy is getting so good at his letters!

His thinking face.  

Signature. 

a list of my family.  

6. LOVE to vacuum

This is the weirdest thing in our home, or at least one of them.  The boys love to have the carpet vacuumed.  They clap and cheer when the vacuum comes out then they run round and round the couch and living room.  We call it a vacuum party.


I had to use this clip because I think Ammon's facial expression is hilarious.  It's like he's thinking "What on earth have I got myself into here?"

***Sorry, there has been a glitch uploading the video.  We'll try again later.***

5.LOVE going to church

All 4 kids are doing so great in Sacrament meeting.  I have been very firm set in the decision to not allow treats, drinks, books or toys into the meeting.  I want the kids to learn from a very early age to sit still and quietly for an hour without the assistance of props and entertainment.  And they are doing so great.  


Dace can sit on his own for the full hour (except for the occasional pee break) and Zade sits very well on Daddy's knee.  We are slowly trying to transition him to his own seat.  He still needs to be taken out every once and a while but he has improved tremendously over the last few months.  


The babies love looking around and getting held by others.  Ammon ate right before the meeting started then sat with Gladys all meeting and didn't make a peep.  Heidi had Nev until the last few minutes when she couldn't wait any longer to eat.  The twins are on a good schedule to have their awake time in the morning, which is when I take them to run errands during the week, come home, eat, then had a nice long nap.  Sunday doesn't throw them off too bad from this, usually.  Even if they nap during church time they still usually have a good nap after lunch anyway since the sleep at church isn't too quality.  


Overall, Sundays are a good day.  Some mornings it's still pandemonium to get everyone ready, loaded up and out the door on time but it is always worth it.  Their reverent behavior and the couple hours break it is for Dallin and I while everyone takes turns holding a twin is wonderful.  

4.LOVE tub time

Ammon loves his bath.  He gets in there and just totally zens out.  It's great.  When I get him out and wrap his big warm towel around him, he always give a great big content sigh.  Then cozy PJs and he's a happy camper til he falls asleep.

3. LOVE to play in the Friendly Forest

A few weeks ago, some friends came over to do a service project and cleaned out our back yard to make it bigger for the boys to play.  They love it!  They have about twice as much space and can wonder through the trees.  I think they play out there for at least 2 hours every day.  It is fabulous!  They have their tonka trucks and they dig for dinosaur bones and they just wonder around being little boys in nature.  We love our friendly forest.

2. LOVE to eat Chocolate Cake

Eating cake is great therapy.  We've been eating a lot of it around here as of late.  This is the Pioneer Woman's best chocolate sheet cake ever recipe.  You can find it here. 


 The first time I made this cake was years ago for a Sunday dinner for me, Dallin and Grandpa Randy.  Dace was just a baby.  We devoured over half of it that evening.  It is that good!  and it makes a 18x13 pan too.  Please try it and make your life that much better.  It is fluffy and moist and oh so chocolatey.  Nothing short of divine.

February Love Series - 1. LOVE to chat

February is Valentine's month.  I love Valentine's Day.  It's a fun holiday.  It's usually a happy day for most people unless you are not connected to anyone and you choose to celebrate it as Singles Awareness Day, like we used to back in the days of Calgary.  But thankfully, no more.


For the next 2 weeks, I will be posting every day (yes, every single day) about something that we love in this family, either as an individual or some of us together.


Ladies first-

Nevea LOVES to chat.